[ISL] "Borden-Carleton's 'Stonehenge' remains undeveloped"

[rfmcdonald]

The Guardian's Nancy MacPhee describes how the Confederation Bridge assembly yard at Borden-Carleton is still intact, still undeveloped and transformed. I'm firmly of the opinion that the site should be kept: It's visually striking and could potentially be a destination in itself.

My most recent photo post, from my 2016 visit, is here.

Despite a call for tenders for its remediation, P.E.I.’s ‘Stonehenge’ remains untouched.

But the province’s Economic Development and Tourism minister, said the plan remains to revitalize the former Confederation Bridge fabrication yard area and to collaborate with the Town of Borden-Carleton to find a project that fits best with its future economic development plans.

“It is still a very important strategic asset for us and we’re working closely with the community of Borden-Carleton,” said Heath MacDonald. “They are in the process of doing a STEP program, which is an economic evaluation for their town. They feel that, and we feel that, there could be a tie in to the fabrication yard.”

Last February, Finance P.E.I. issued an invitation to tender for the demolition of the former fabrication yard situated on Read Road.

But a contract was never issued, and the 112-acre site is still untouched, its large above ground concrete pillars an eyesore in the community. The site, in clear view as visitors come off the bridge, has been abandoned since 1997.

MacDonald confirmed that three tenders — two from off-Island companies and one from within the province — had come in earlier this year, all more than double and one triple the anticipated $1 million government had hoped to spend on the site.